A Night For The History Books: A Changing America

I've never used this platform to talk about politics or religion in any way, and I will continue to live by that rule. However, what happened in the US last night has to make one stop and take pause.

Today I woke up to the news that James Talarico in Texas became the first Democrat to win a statewide office there in 30 yearsKansas has its first Democratic senator in nearly 100 years, Adam Hamilton. A five term Republican in Maine, Susan Collins, lost her seat after 30 years to Troy Jackson. Lindsey Graham's old seat was flipped to the Democrats by Annie Andrews. But wait, there's more.

It looks like we may have the very first Black Speaker of the House, Hakeem Jeffries. In Michigan, the first Muslim American senator was elected to the US Senate, Abdul Al-Sayed. New Hampshire elected the first openly gay man to the US Senate, Chris Pappas. Deb Haaland became the first Native American ever elected governor of New Mexico. And Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor of Georgia.

Big wins and historic firsts for sure. Lots of firsts I've never seen in my lifetime. And it's not over yet. There are still several more races to finish.

And for the first time in history, a pope even voted in the election. Heck.. NASA astronauts cast their ballots from space and Pope Leo XIV's was the first pope to ever vote in a U.S. election as well. 

It's also being reported that 50 million people voted before Election Day, and all signs point to a record number of people voting in these midterms, potentially shattering the all time record set in 2018.

Whatever your affiliation happens to be, you just can't deny that the landscape and face of this country are constantly changing and evolving. 

SO many historic firsts. It really does make one stop and take pause, no matter what side you're on.

I come from a time when I would often accompany my dad to the donut shop and diner. I've always loved people watching, so I'd sit there and watch and listen to these old boys at the counter debating politics, each one on opposite sides of the political aisle. Sometimes they would agree, sometimes they wouldn't. But more times than I could count, they would get up from their meal or coffee, shake hands or pat each other on the back, and part ways respectfully.. as friends.

My, how that's changed in recent years.

It's amazing how quickly things can change. It's fascinating, entertaining, and interesting to watch somehow. This is definitely a moment in history worth taking note of my friends.